Many women older than 40 years old worry about aging and how it’ll change their appearance. But while gray hairs, droopy eyes and sagging derrieres might seem like the biggest concerns, most women admit that their smile is the first feature that people notice about them. And if yours isn’t as beautiful as you’d like, there’s a cosmetic dental solution to help you brighten it up and improve your confidence.

67 Percent of People Smile More with Dentures

One of the first obstacles you’ll overcome when adjusting to a new set of teeth is learning how to smile again. That’s because it’s common to feel insecure about having dentures and assume that everyone notices them right away. Truth is, today’s dentures are made to look exactly like your natural teeth. Although your dentures might seem intimidating at first, they’ll bring you many smiles once you get accustomed to them and begin to regain your confidence.

Dentures Aren’t as Taboo as You Think

Botox, breast implants, bikini waxes – all of these treatments were once considered taboo by the general public. Today, they’re all a part of life and living. With women openly discussing aging and exchanging information pertaining to how to deal with it, there’s no need to feel ashamed about what was once considered a strictly practical procedure. When it comes to keeping a vibrantly young smile into your golden years, dentures are now one of the most sought-after cosmetic procedures.

Unfortunately, if you’re a new denture wearer, you’ll likely notice that it’s much more difficult to speak. As a result, this might make you feel more awkward when conversing with people because you think they know that you have dentures.

Rest assured, though, as ‘clicking’ while talking, mispronouncing letters and sounding different is a normal part of the transition process.

That said, here are three tips to speaking confidently with dentures.

Embrace Your New Voice

Whenever you speak, the sound travels to your ears through vibrations in your jaw and skull bones. When you wear dentures, this sound increases and changes. Although your voice will sound different within the first few weeks of wearing dentures, this will be much more noticeable to you than to anyone else listening.

Speak More Slowly

If you notice that your new dentures ‘click’ when you speak, do so at a slower pace to lessen the amount of movements that raise your lower denture. To keep your lower denture in place, you’ll need to use the muscles in your cheeks, lips and tongue. Initially, these muscles tend to be rather weak and ‘kick out’ your denture.

Bite and Swallow Prior to Speaking

To speak more clearly, bite and swallow prior to speaking, This puts your dentures in a position that allows you to project your words better. If you find that your dentures slip too often, consider applying a denture adhesive. In addition to holding your dentures firm in place, it’ll also help keep your breath fresh.

Also, to help you get used to speaking with your dentures, practice reading aloud for 10 minutes a day.

Although adjusting to a life with dentures can be a bit difficult at first, the long-term rewards far outweigh the annoyances you might initially experience. Whether you’re thinking about getting dentures or you’ve just put yours on for the first time, here’s what you can expect during the first month of wearing them.

Day 1 of Wearing Dentures

Adjusting to new dentures, whether this is your first set or you’re an experienced denture wearer, can be challenging. The good news is that about 36 million people in the U.S. have dentures, so you’re not alone. When first breaking in your new dentures, it’s best to eat soft foods that are gentle on your gums and teeth.

Day 2-14 of Wearing Dentures

As your mouth adjusts to the new dentures, you’ll likely notice that you salivate more within the first few weeks of wearing them. You might also notice sore spots around your mouth. To help with this, rinse your mouth with warm salt water. If the soreness continues, contact your dentist to get your dentures readjusted.

Day 15-29 of Wearing Dentures

After two weeks have passed, you’ll notice that you’re still learning to talk – without the ‘clicks’ or mispronunciations – and eat. But by this time, the saliva flow and sore spots in your mouth should have lessened. To help your dentures fit even better now, consider using a small amount of denture adhesive.

Day 30 of Wearing Dentures

Most of the bumps and bruises that come with a new set of dentures should now be long gone. You’re talking and eating normally again, which means you should reward yourself with your favorite food with family and friends. The hard part is over; now it’s time to strut your stuff and show off that bright white smile!

Whether it’s a minor fix or a major repair, your dentist has the ability to transform your mouth into a kingdom of pearly whites that are as aligned as a military formation. He or she can close spaces, reshape teeth and restore worn or short ones. If your teeth are missing, chipped or discolored, there’s a dental solution for your problem. Among the most common cosmetic dental procedures, crowns and veneers can help you restore the shape of your teeth and their appearance.

Crowns

Also known as ‘caps,’ a dentist uses crowns to cover a tooth to restore it to its regular shape and appearance. Since they’re relatively expensive, they’re only used when other dental procedures won’t be as effective. While crowns last longer than any other kind of dental restoration, it’s the longest procedure to sit through.

You might need a crown if:

Your tooth is weak or cracked

Your tooth is broken or has been severely worn down

Veneers

Veneers, on the other hand, are thin pieces of plastic or porcelain that a dentist places over the front of your teeth to change the color or the shape of them. While veneers are a relatively cheaper alternative to crowns, they are usually used to treat some of the same dental issues as bonding because they last longer and have greater color stability. As with bonding, there’s little to no anesthesia needed.

You might need a veneer if:

Your tooth has uneven surfaces

Your tooth is chipped, oddly shaped, discolored or crooked

For more information about crowns and veneers, contact our dental office today.

Dentures provide hope to millions of people who turn to them to regain their smile and confidence when they experience missing teeth. Another benefit of dentures is regaining the ability to eat certain foods like corn on the cob, steak and frozen desserts. Although eating with dentures is initially a challenge, there are a few ways to ease the transition. Here’s how to eat better if you’re now doing it with dentures.

Remember That Your Sense of Taste Will Take Time to Adjust

A common feeling among new denture wearers is that the food they eat doesn’t have any flavor. As you adjust to your new dentures, your mouth sends strong signals to your brain that overpower the ones that your taste buds send. After a few weeks, your brain will begin balancing the signals and your sense of taste will return.

Start With Soft Foods and Eat Hard Foods in Small Quantities

To maintain a healthy diet until you’re able to eat hard foods regularly, stick to soft foods like oatmeal, fish and eggs. To improve your confidence in your bite, start with eating small quantities of hard foods that are cut into smaller pieces (like that juicy steak). Within a few weeks, you’ll feel confident enough to eat any delicious meal.

Proceed With Caution When Eating or Drinking Anything That’s Hot

Another common feeling among new denture wearers is that they have trouble sensing whether a food or a drink is extremely hot. To avoid burning your mouth, stay away from hot foods and drinks for the first few weeks, unless you know they have cooled down enough to not burn your mouth.